When the Bible describes the men of Jabesh-Gilead as “valiant,” it’s not just talking about bravery in battle. The word valiant means “brave, courageous, heroic.” These were men who remembered what had been done for them—and their gratitude led them to action.
Saul’s story ends in tragedy. His disobedience led to defeat. His sons fell with him, and his body was humiliated by the Philistines. Yet out of that darkness rose light. A group of men from Jabesh-Gilead remembered the day Saul once delivered them from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Samuel 11). That memory stirred something within them. Out of gratitude, they risked their lives to honor Saul’s fallen body.
The Bible says, “All the valiant men arose.” Their courage was born of thankfulness. They remembered the one who had saved their right eye—and they acted in gratitude.
The Right Eye of Freedom
Years earlier, Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had threatened to gouge out the right eye of every man in Jabesh-Gilead. That right eye represented their freedom, their dignity, and their ability to fight. Saul heard of their plight and, moved by the Spirit of God, came to their rescue.
From that day forward, the men of Jabesh-Gilead could touch their right eye and remember—they were free because a savior had come for them.
In the same way, we can look at the freedoms we enjoy today and remember the sacrifices made on our behalf. Every flag waving over a cemetery represents someone’s courage. Freedom always has a price. As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream—it must be fought for, protected, and handed on.”
But there’s a greater freedom still—the freedom of the soul. We are free because our Savior came down to fight a battle we could not win.
The Right Eye of the Gospel
We are not only free citizens—we are redeemed souls. Saul’s deliverance was temporary, but Christ’s deliverance is eternal.
Paul said in Romans 1:14–15, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel.”
Like those valiant men, we owe a debt. Ours is a Gospel debt. We have been delivered, not from Nahash, but from sin and death. We owe our salvation to a Savior who came to us when we could not save ourselves.
The men of Jabesh-Gilead risked everything to honor the one who saved them. Shouldn’t we rise with the same gratitude toward the One who delivered us? Gratitude is never passive—it moves us to action. It compels us to take the gospel to others, to live boldly, to love deeply, to serve faithfully.
The Apostle Paul reminded Philemon, whom he led to Christ, “Thou owest unto me even thine own self besides”(Philemon 1:19). Every believer owes their life to Christ. We are bought with a price—redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Because of Jesus, we have the right eye of the gospel. We can see clearly what sin once blinded. We can live courageously because our Savior has already won the battle.
The Right Eye of Heaven
The valiant men of Jabesh-Gilead did not stop at gratitude—they acted. They marched all night, risked their lives, recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons, and fasted for seven days. Their love and loyalty cost them something.
Likewise, true gratitude always costs something. The Christian life is not lived in comfort but in courage. Our Savior calls us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
When we remember what Christ has done for us, we too arise. We rise to restore, to rebuild, and to bear witness. We rise to keep our eyes fixed on heaven.
Patrick Henry once declared, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” But the believer’s cry is even greater: “Give me Christ, for in Him is both liberty and life everlasting.”
The men of Jabesh-Gilead fought to honor a fallen king. We fight to honor a risen one. Their story points us forward to Jesus—the King who died for our sins, rose again, and now reigns forever.
Because of Him, we have the right eye of heaven—the clear sight of eternity. The gospel gives us eyes to see beyond the grave, to look past the decay of this world to the glory that awaits the faithful.
All the Valiant Men Arose
“All the valiant men arose.” That phrase still calls out to us today. Every believer is called to rise—to remember what has been done for us, repent of our apathy, and resolve to do what is right.
We have:
- The right eye of freedom, because a Savior fought for us.
- The right eye of the gospel, because a Savior came to us.
- The right eye of heaven, because a Savior prepares a place for us.
The men of Jabesh-Gilead remembered Saul’s deliverance and acted in gratitude. We remember Christ’s deliverance and act in love. Gratitude leads to courage, courage to sacrifice, and sacrifice to victory.
So, Christian, be valiant. Remember what Christ has done for you. Rise up and live for Him who died for you. The world needs to see again what it looks like when “all the valiant men arise.”